The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-09-10

a merry air. and he heard the shouts
and laughter Of the guests as he took a
suitable position and cast a glance over
| the broad free expanse where he knew
he had placed the bait Soon Christie
pher saw some thing that seemed lik e
the object Of his search. With hasty
grasp he tried the lock Of his rifle. and,
finding every thing in order. he turned
his eyes again toward the plain. saying
10 himself: "The thing is moving. but
from the gait IT doesn't seem like fox
ought to be others in sight, but there
is nothing else 30 be- seen. II must be
an enemy Of the fox. All right No
more am / his friend; but all the same
III make II warm for this fellowr'
Again he looked out at the dark APP
prOaching something.
"The wine aud the wedding! 1t
dances before my eyes in way don't
like. What has come over me? That
must be the reason the people in Flan-
ders call it such piece Of good luck TO
kill fox on ones wedding day. But
I'll manage IL yet! II only the thing
there isn't-a wolf! And it's certainly
too large for fox. A wolf though
well! only wait. old fellow, I'll
draw the buckshot and put in
bullet My eye is certain. my hand
firm; even wolf I'll make sorry for
having driven away my foxes But
how deuced long the fellow seems TO
be. All well, all the better target!
But bless my soul, Christopher. there
must be twol Two wolyosl And even
If don't miss tho one, the other will
be on me AL the same. Clear out and
abandon the hunt-that might 90;
but supposing the whole pack were
not far of? Then I'd have to begin TO
think about making my will. But
there can't be pack oi them or |
should see something Of ii. and what
is out of sight can't oycrtake me be-
fore get across the Niemen. So I'll
stay and have crack at one of the
two, then I'll manage the other some
how if he doesn't turn tail before my
fire, as often happens. If he should
come for me, n wolf has n stiff neck
and can't turn very lively; running
zig-zag. and that too. on the ice, ii
soon make him tired"
All this flashed across the mans
mind sooner than it takes to tell it,
With firm gaze and rifle in hand
Christopher lay on the floor of his hut
without moving IA limb The two
wandering crcaturcs-for there were
indeed two-had meantime come so
near that one could clearly mark
their gait. They were rs large
as wolves and as stout as
wolves. but without their gait
When the man had made this discovery
hot thrill ran over his body and
sparks snapped from his eyes; but he
planted his elbows in the snow waited
in breathless suspense n moment long
or, then brought the rifle to his shoul-
der. took aim and fired. One of the
animals leaped into the air, gavo
short howl and fell to the ground
"He won't get bite ut me anyhow"
cried Christopher and laughed aloud;
but only for an instant, then his breath
stopped mt tho howl of rage from the
other animal, which rang out like
short thundcr-clap. And almost at the
same time the beast put himself in mo-
ton, moving his legs with the swift
ness of horse, and growing even
larger rs he advanced on the hunter.
The latter lost no time, sprang up and
waited for his enemy with raised gun
stock.
At mans length from him the ana
NAL stood still His tongue hung steam
ing from his jaws, his eyes glowed like
coals-onc instant then he raised him
self. and now Chris topher gave him
blow on the skull with his rifle butt,
80 that it ncw in splinters from the
barrel. The animal gave an angry
growl without letting the blow disturb
him. then stood up at full height on
hind legs.
Christopher. pcrceving the futility of
his blow. throw his weapon into the
snow and was with one spring at close
quarters with his enemy. laid his hands
on his neck like pair of thumb
screws, and held him SO at arms length
from him.
To hold him firm or to stranglc him
what was his intention in this actP
He did what the instant suggested.
Full of wrath his opponent raised his
paws brought them down on the mans
shoulders SO that the claws buried
themselves in the two-fold shcepskin
and penetrated rs far rs the flesh. An
involuntary cry of pain escaped Chris
tophcr's lips; but all the more firmly
did his hands cncircle the animals
neck, while the beast sought 10y short,
violent twists To rid himself Of this in
convenience; further than an incon-
vcnicncc it seemed not to be. rs Chris
tophcr's hands failed to embrace iAc
neck entirely. Yet he held firm with
the strength of despair; the animal
licked with his tongue toward his oppo-
heats arm and pressed his head down
m side. One bite and he would have
been manned. With violent excrtion
Christopher raised the animals head
again. ouly with the result however,
that the lattcr's paws bclabored his
shoulders like hammers. A. staunch
as the man stood, yet he felt himself
at every blow rs if rammcd into the
ground.
The animals claws tore the sheep
skin 10 RAGS; ut last they must reach